By The Ministry of Agriculture has officially designated December 27, 2024, as the nationwide harvest date for vanilla.
State Minister for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, announced that the harvest season will extend for three months, concluding on 27th March 2025
Additionally, Kyakulaga mentioned that farmers with mature crops can seek special permission from district agricultural officers to commence harvesting before the designated date.
Vanilla being known as the queen of spices is the most popular flavoring agent in the world being used in many spaces like confectionaries, pharmaceuticals, and the food and beverages industry. It has a global production of 12,226 tons.
According to statistics, vanilla is one of the most profitable crops in uganda generating 20.66 million USD in foreign exchange in 2023 thus the relevance of its regulations like the designation of harvest dates.
The vanilla harvest date is when every farmer is officially allowed to harvest and sell his ready vanilla from the garden. And it is the date when vanilla buyers are allowed to buy from farmers.
The minister for agriculture Fred Bwino Kyakulaga has warned farmers against harvesting premature vanilla which may affect the market prices. He called for the arrest of all farmers, traders found selling and transporting vanilla crops without the authorization of the district production officer of their respective districts.
“My Ministry will take strong and punitive action against anyone found harvesting, or in possession of vanilla beans before the stipulated date or in possession of green beans at any one time.
He adds “I further direct the staff at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Industry and Fisheries and the District Local Governments to be vigilant, supervise and monitor all the processes of vanilla harvest and trade during the period.”
He urged farmers not to cut down their already established vanilla crops due to a fall in prices noting that the crop is profitable under all circumstances.
Madagascar which is the leading producer gives 78%, Uganda produces 9%, Papua New Guinea 7%, Mexico 2%, and India 1%. This shows how Uganda is also a serious producer of vanilla globally.
More so, there are approximately 65,000 smallholder vanilla farmers in Uganda. These are from 38 districts across the country that include; Mukono, Kasese, Kayunga, Jinja, Buikwe, Kyenjojo, Mityana, Ntoroko, Hoima, Mpigi, Masaka, Ibanda, Kamwenge, Bushenyi, Kazo and many other districts
According to the Bank of uganda, the export volume from January to September 2024 attained 449.3 metric tons marking the highest level since vanilla cultivation began in uganda.
It is understood that, a single vine can yield around 5-6kgs and that a farmer can be able to earn around 24,00,000 at the lowest selling price of 4,000 Ugx. This same farmer also can be able to earn around 100,000,000 Ugx if the price is at a relative price of 20,000.
